Kampala |— The National Unity Platform (NUP) has come under intense criticism from sections of the public and its supporters following its announcement that it will sign the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) Memorandum of Understanding, effectively ending its long-standing boycott of the platform.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the party said the decision was prompted by recent amendments to the Political Parties and Organisations Act, which make it mandatory for all registered political parties to belong to either IPOD or the Forum for Non-Represented Political Parties.
“As we await the decision of the Constitutional Court, the National Unity Platform has decided to sign the current Memorandum of Understanding since it is already a member of the applicable constitutive organ by conscription of the law,” the statement read in part.
The party added that it had filed a constitutional petition challenging both the process and content of the amendment, accusing government of passing the law “without consultation” and using it as a tool to “target and cripple” opposition operations.
“Already, the Electoral Commission is using this law to discriminate against and cripple the operations of the National Unity Platform,” the statement added.
Law Ties Funding to Participation
The amendment, which President Yoweri Museveni assented to in June 2025, links access to the Shs3.1 billion Political Parties Fund to participation in IPOD.
Previously, NUP—Uganda’s leading opposition party—received about Shs800 million annually. However, by refusing to join IPOD, it risked losing access to the funds.
Political analysts say the decision reflects a pragmatic shift within NUP ahead of the 2026 general elections, as operating a national political organisation without funding remains a daunting challenge.
Supporters React Online
The announcement sparked heated debate across social media platforms, with many supporters accusing the party of inconsistency and hypocrisy.
“Good move to sign the current memorandum for that money and fund party activities,” wrote one user under the handle Lawyer Wa Bobi.
Others were less forgiving.
“So you still trust the judicial system of Uganda?” asked Brian Craigs, while another supporter, Komuntu Sophie, quipped, “Why don’t you wait for the Constitutional Court decision? Those who have been fetching big salaries at the party headquarters can wait for the ruling.”
Some critics saw the move as a capitulation.
“NUP has finally yielded to Museveni’s IPOD money trap,” tweeted Abbas Kazibwe, while PriEst added, “Aren’t you the ones fighting the government that you now want funds from? Everything is zigzag in this Ugandan opposition.”
Others, however, defended the decision.
“That is our money, not Gen. Museveni’s money,” countered Global Investigator.
Political analyst Ninki Kenneth urged for realism, writing:
“Please @NUP_Ug, be honest and tell your supporters that Parliament amended the law to fund only parties that are members of IPOD.”
A Turn from Defiance to Pragmatism
The development marks a significant departure from NUP’s earlier hardline stance. In June this year, the party’s deputy spokesperson, Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, had dismissed IPOD participation altogether, saying:
“To hell with their IPOD money. We will not participate in IPOD; we will not engage in forceful dialogues. We are not driven by funding but by the determination to end this tyrannical rule.”
Now, NUP’s decision is being seen by many as a strategic recalibration rather than an ideological surrender, a recognition of the practical realities of sustaining a national political movement in a restrictive political and financial environment.
